noun |
adj |
verb |
adv |
(noun) hold
a cell in a jail or prison
the main tower within the walls of a medieval castle or fortress
(noun) bread and butter, livelihood, living, support, sustenance
the financial means whereby one lives
each child was expected to pay for their keep; he applied to the state for support; he could no longer earn his own livelihood
(verb) preserve
prevent (food) from rotting
preserved meats; keep potatoes fresh
stick to correctly or closely
The pianist kept time with the metronome; keep count; I cannot keep track of all my employees
(verb) maintain
maintain by writing regular records
keep a diary; maintain a record; keep notes
supply with necessities and support
She alone sustained her family; The money will sustain our good cause; There's little to earn and many to keep
(verb) hold on
retain possession of
Can I keep my old stuffed animals?; She kept her maiden name after she married
(verb) maintain
maintain for use and service
I keep a car in the countryside; She keeps an apartment in Paris for her shopping trips
(verb) hold open, keep open, save
retain rights to
keep my job for me while I give birth; keep my seat, please; keep open the possibility of a merger
(verb) continue, retain, keep on
allow to remain in a place or position or maintain a property or feature
We cannot continue several servants any longer; She retains a lawyer; The family's fortune waned and they could not keep their household staff; Our grant has run out and we cannot keep you on; We kept the work going as long as we could; She retained her composure; this garment retains its shape even after many washings
(verb) keep back, restrain, hold back
keep under control; keep in check
suppress a smile; Keep your temper; keep your cool
(verb) prevent
stop (someone or something) from doing something or being in a certain state
We must prevent the cancer from spreading; His snoring kept me from falling asleep; Keep the child from eating the marbles
behave as expected during of holidays or rites
Keep the commandments; celebrate Christmas; Observe Yom Kippur
(verb) observe
conform one's action or practice to
keep appointments; she never keeps her promises; We kept to the original conditions of the contract
keep in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., "keep clean"
hold in place; She always held herself as a lady; The students keep me on my toes
(verb) proceed, continue, go along, go on
continue a certain state, condition, or activity
Keep on working!; We continued to work into the night; Keep smiling; We went on working until well past midnight
(verb) preserve
maintain in safety from injury, harm, or danger
May God keep you
(verb) stay fresh
fail to spoil or rot
These potatoes keep for a long time